IPSWICH: A vicar has issued a plea for the return of a cross stolen from the altar of a town church.

Thieves entered St Margaret’s Church, Bolton Lane, which is left open during the day, and stole a 61cm brass cross from the altar as well as three brass balls from the foot of the lectern.

The cross dates from the 1960s and has an inscription which reads “Mac 1964”.

The Rev David Cutts, who has been at the church for the past 16 years, said: “It is very sad that someone should take it.

“We haven’t been able to find out who the inscription refers to – it says Mac 1964 but whether that is someone’s nickname or their initials, we don’t know.

“I’ve been vicar here for 16 years and it’s been on the altar all that time, so why someone has chosen now to try and get away with it is quite strange.

“But I wouldn’t think they would be very easy to sell, because the cross has got security markings on it and the brass feet have no real value in them.”

The ornaments went missing between 8.30am on Monday, September 13, and 3pm on Wednesday, when church staff noticed they were gone. Mr Cutts added: “Obviously people in the church who have heard about it are very shocked that it has been taken.

“It’s very sad that someone has taken these things and I do hope that they will come back again.”

Anyone with information about the theft can contact Pc Jonathan Stordy at the Central Ipswich Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

n Have you had something precious stolen? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstar letters@eveningstar.co.uk